Molecular & Structural Biology

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EEG data reveals when and where odors are processed in the brain

A specially created odor delivery device, along with machine learning-based analysis of scalp-recorded electroencephalogram, has enabled researchers at the University of Tokyo to see when and where odors are processed in the brain.

29 May 2022

Specific neural circuit in mice can help detect the dimmest shadows possible

Mice use a specific neural pathway to detect shadows, and it can detect just about the dimmest shadows possible, according to new research from Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. The human eye has the same neural circuit, which researchers think could be used to probe visual diseases at unprecedented resolution.

26 May 2022

The role of pyroptosis in COVID-19

Researchers investigate the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 induces NLRP3 inflammasome formation leading to pyroptosis.

25 May 2022

A sugar-studded protein could be key to stopping Alzheimer’s disease progression, finds study

In a bit of "reverse engineering" research using brain tissues from five people who died with Alzheimer's disease, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they discovered that a special sugar molecule could play a key role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

25 May 2022

Cryogenic electron microscopy used to determine the structure of fungal ribosome

Most people carry the fungus Candida albicans on their bodies, without this causing many problems. However, a systemic infection with this fungus is dangerous and difficult to treat.

25 May 2022

Researchers reveal novel tumor–macrophage interactions that promote peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer

A research team at the School of Biological Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, has revealed novel cellular and molecular interactions between cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages that promote peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer.

25 May 2022

Computational modeling fine tunes RBD-1C aptamer against SARS-CoV-2 S protein

Researchers used the SARS-CoV-2 sequence against aptamers to perform the in silico selection of an aptamer against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein.

24 May 2022

Study sheds light on the molecular biology behind genetic epilepsy

Sometimes, even the alteration of a single nucleotide in a gene can cause serious disease. In a young boy with epilepsy, this kind of mutation has not just affected the functioning of the protein in question – it could also curb the functioning of several closely related proteins.

23 May 2022

ATLAS assay reveals SARS-CoV-2 variant T-cell responses

Researchers utilize the ATLAS screening assay to reveal the antigen response profiles of T-cells to different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

23 May 2022

Study demonstrates how the transcription factor C/EBPβ can positively influence fat storage

The chronic nutritional and metabolic disease of obesity is characterized by an excessive increase in body fat and its accumulation in tissues.

20 May 2022

Plastins may promote disease when they act like workaholics and disrupt cellular environment

A family of proteins that have a role in ensuring many types of cells move and maintain their shape may promote disease when they act like workaholics and disrupt the cellular environment, new research suggests.

19 May 2022

Downregulation of MHC-I surface expression by SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins

Researchers analyze the mechanisms by which two SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins, ORF3a and ORF7a, can downregulate the expression of MHC-I.

19 May 2022

RNA binding-induced structural dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein

Researchers predict structure models of the full-length SARS-CoV-2 N protein in both the presence and absence of RNA.

19 May 2022

A review on the hallmarks of cancer and aging

Dr. Mikhail Blagosklonny published his new review paper in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 14, Issue 9, entitled, "Hallmarks of cancer and hallmarks of aging."

18 May 2022

Molecular pathway allows cells to sense when their lipid supplies become depleted

UT Southwestern researchers have discovered a molecular pathway that allows cells to sense when their lipid supplies become depleted, prompting a flurry of activity that prevents starvation.

18 May 2022

Tabula sapiens, most comprehensive human cell atlas

In a recent study published in the journal Science, researchers created an atlas termed the Tabula sapiens for over 400 distinct cell types of humans. Several aspects of human physiology were revealed by the atlas, such as how different types of cells splice genes differently.

16 May 2022

Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 15 endoribonuclease variants

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers characterized the mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) non-structural protein 15 (Nsp-15).

16 May 2022

New discovery has potential to stop inflammation at the "growing end"

Redness, swelling, pain - these are signs of inflammation. It serves to protect the body from pathogens or foreign substances.

13 May 2022

Mitochondrial respiratory chain is essential for NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Northwestern Medicine investigators recently discovered that the mitochondrial respiratory chain — a series of protein complexes essential for a cellular respiration and energy production — is necessary for the activation of another protein complex linked to inflammation and the progression of chronic diseases, according to a study published in Nature Immunology.

12 May 2022

Researchers pursue a new way to use milk for delivering cancer-fighters to the brain

In health care, perhaps no word sends a more chilling message than "cancer." Brain tumors, for example, prove especially resistant to current treatments. Only 5% of patients with that condition survive more than three years and the median survival time is 10 to 14 months.

12 May 2022